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September 29, 2014

10 Reasons I Will Never Be Une Parisienne

There are the French and then there are the Parisians. There really is a big difference between the two.*

Now of course, I don't (currently) live in Paris, but after spending a considerable amount of time there over the last few years, and especially in the last couple of months, I know that I will never be and probably could never be une vrai Parisienne.

And I'm ok with that.

Here are some of the reasons why:

1) I will never be able to master "the pout" properly
2) I don't own the requisite sequined Vanessa Bruno cabas
3) I don't like to lie in the sun
4) I never order un Perrier menthe
5) I'm (usually) way too punctual

6) I don't smoke
7) I can't find a shade of red lipstick that suits me
8) I'm terrified to ride a bike in Paris
9) I can't get my hair into that messy yet elegant updo (but I wish I could!)
10) I wasn't born there

Sometimes when I see young Parisian women walking down the street or sitting in a café, it looks like they are trying oh so very hard to exude an aura of perfection. They pose and pout and keep their movements in check. Just watching them exhausts me.

I'm much happier embracing my imperfect, unfashionable, smiling, clumsy self. I may be French, but I doubt anyone will ever look at me and think that I am une Parisienne. Which is kind of a relief.

* That's a subject that warrants its own blog post, so please just trust me on this Pin It

15 comments:

Fun post. I hope you realize that most of the *Parisiennes* you spot sitting at café terraces (especially younger ones) were not born in Paris either ;-) So, basically, they are only *aspiring Parisiennes,* from "La Province," which is why some may look they are trying a little too hard. ;-) Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

Having just returned I will also add, too many visitors and the crowds are to much for me. Secondly, I could never walk in the 6 inch heels that many of them do especially when they walk down a cobbled street!!It was a fun 5 days but I am so glad to be back in the country :-) Take care Diane

Great post and I loved the photos! XxWe are now the owners of our own little part of France. It's so exciting. I've started up a blog to record our progress...it's a renovation project...here's the link....http://bramblinginbrittany.blogspot.co.uk/

So Jennifer, you will never be "Une Parisienne". I sincerely hope you never see this as a problem. I will never be "Une Bostonian", particularly since I come from NY, but I live here all the same. You will make Paris your home. You will be "Celle qui est à la maison à Paris". Rejoice! La Belle Epoque will start again with your presence.

My reasons for never being mistaken for a French woman - let alone a Parisian!* My width to height ratio is out* An an immaculate bob turns into a hedge as soon as I leave the house* I eat seconds (see point 1)* My cheekbones are hard to identify* And sin of sins - I don't wear black! It just doesn't suit me!

I recently spent two weeks in Paris (and had a lot of fun), but one thing I noted which was bothersome was the amount of smoking going on. Sitting in the outdoor cafes (and other locations), it seemed a cigarette in hand was a requisite, for both male and female. Made me wonder what the numbers are in France for lung cancer. Perhaps they haven't learned yet that a cigarette in hand is a dangerous way to make yourself look sophisticated.

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